Woodley United manager in ‘complete shock’ as club advises he is ‘no longer the club’s Ladies manager’

Woodley United confirmed in a statement that Marc Surtees will no longer hold the post of Ladies manager having been at the helm of women’s first team for 14 years.

The statement included a thank you for his service, “The club expresses sincere gratitude to Marc for his long-service and valued involvement since 2011 with many highlights including winning the County Cup with teams at u16, u18 and Reserves level and gaining league promotions with both the reserves and first team.

The full club statement can be read here.

A considerable of outrage has hit social media in the wake of the news with a number of first team players and fans expressing their disappointment at the decision.

Marc himself has also taken to X having let wanted the dust to settle before commenting, his statement read the following;

“This came as a complete shock to me, going to what I thought was a meeting to discuss the coming season, turned out to be a meeting to tell me I was no longer required as the ladies team manager, after being in the role for 14 years. Being told I had lost my drive was confusing considering it was 2 days before our first open session and we had been advertising for new players, and that we were looking to start up a reserve/development team.”

“I know there has been speculation on the clubs plans for the Ladies team, but I was advised that they will be looking for a new manager and at the time, did not have anyone lined up. I really hope they do find someone to take over the team so that Woodley United can still have a ladies team.”

“I have been overwhelmed by all of the comments and support, both from those that have been involved with the team and those outside of the club,on social media and the direct messages I have received. I would like to thank the players that have been involved in teams I have managed, I have been very lucky to have managed some very good players but also some great people. We became a family and for that I am very grateful. I wish those players all the very best, whether that is with Woodley or another team and I will keep in touch and aim to be on the sidelines supporting them from time to time.”

As it stands, the club do not currently have a replacement and are seeking to recruit one for the 2025/26 as Woodley begin their third campaign back in the Premier Division of the Southern Region Women’s Football League for the third season since gaining promotion back to Tier 5.

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